Masks, nieces, and more masks

I've been a little busy making more face masks. One of my many nieces asked for a small favor. "Please Aunt Mary. You are so awesome. My favorite aunt." She went so far as to call me one of her people. Hmm, that's a bit thick, don't you agree?

Of course, I can't say no to anyone, let alone KT. So I cut out a few more. Except, she wanted these for friends at work and really no really wanted them in gingham. Navy, pink, blue, fuchsia, please. Somehow I had all the colors she really no really wanted.

Included in this pile are some sherbet-color ones that I'd just made before KT's request. Currently I have about 10-15 cut out and waiting to be sewn, but they are not top priority because there are still about 8-10 waiting for a home. 

production work

There's a Facebook group that takes requests and then asks for help in making the masks. I've joined the group and when a request comes, I'll offer whatever masks are still here. 

For now though, I'm getting back to some creative, fun pursuits. What are you busy sewing?

Sunday Quilt Inspiration: MARDI GRAS

We interrupt this post for an important announcement: go over to Fresh Lemons blog and sign up to win one of several fabulous prizes (but please wait till you finish my post).

It's the week of "Fat Tuesday" and the crazies are out in full force. Now, I say that with lots of love: most of my extended family is out there sitting on the side of the road, drinking, eating, laughing and partying.  

Some of my folks are in Lafayette, others are in New Orleans, and still others went to the annual Courir du Mardi Gras.  I'll explain that later.  For now, I'd take advantage of the fun times and find inspiration in the colors: purple, green and gold.  

Mardi Gras is essentially the last big party before the Lenten season begins.  Since Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the last day that one can get fat, have fun, drink, and party.

  Lent is the time of year in which we prepare ourselves for Easter and that includes penance and sacrifice, prayer and good works.  Some people like to "live it up before having to give it up" and others just enjoy the costumes, the floats, the carnivals, and zaniness of too many nuts in one place.

One of my favorites are the masks, which can be small works of art.


















Because I like fabrics and anything to do with sewing, I really appreciate the costumes, especially those that the kings and queens wear.  

Can you imagine wearing those mantles?  Would you believe that I found a parade of quilts in the mardi gras theme?  Goodness, I did not expect quite so many.  Here are just a few of my favorites:

  

And so what is the Courir du Mardi Gras (Mardi Gras run)?  I'll give you the short version, but go to The Advocate Online for a great article that details the rules and history.  The Mardi Gras Cajun tradition in Louisiana in which riders on horses travel from one house to another begging for the ingredients of a gumbo.  The people of each house donate different ingredients, including the chicken.  Those chickens are live and, in the interest of fun, the chicken is set loose.  The (now drunk) riders chase the chicken and the hilarity is part of the entertainment.  

From today's  Advertiser online newspaper
http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20140302/NEWS01/303020015/Traditional-Mardi-Gras-courir-thrives-Church-Point

Eventually someone catches the chicken and the riders move on. Once all the items are gathered, they are brought to a central location (the town square or festival grounds) and put into the gumbo.  There's usually lots of entertainment--music, parades, costumes, food and festival--and the riders finally have their gumbo.  In times past, these were small festivals and everyone shared in the gumbo.  Today, they are huge, drawing in thousands of festival goers.  The gumbo (and everything else) costs and is likely to be made by someone other than the riders, but that may be a good thing.

Happy Mardi Gras,
Mary